THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 (687) Oct. 2 Oct. 2 (691) Subject Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State Denial by Japanese Ambassador of censorship of communications from Manchuria, of bombing of trains, or inciting of Separatist movement; assertion that only "dispatch line" was out of commission at R. C. A. station. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Lt. Brown, Mukden: Report that occupation is es- Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs Information from Colonel Davis that Japanese have de- From the Minister in China (tel.) From Nanking: Consul General's conversations with T. V. Page 101 102 102 104 Oct. 2 From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the 106 Report that Japan, making use of an organization formed by Yuan Chin-kai, is inciting Manchuria to set up an independent government. Oct. 2 (693) From the Minister in China (tel.) 106 Information from Mukden that Japanese are misrepresenting situation, that Yuan Chin-kai has refused to organize independent government, and that Japanese purpose is to eliminate Chang Hsueh-liang's influence. Oct. 3 From the Consul General at Mukden (tel.) 107 Information that Japanese report radio station undamaged but have not reestablished service in spite of representations. Oct. 3 (181) To the Chargé in Japan (tel.) 107 Instructions to confer with Foreign Office concerning the reopening of the radio station. Memorandum by the Secretary of State 108 Oct. 3 Oct. 3 (358) Conversation with the Japanese Ambassador, who was informed of the reports from Mukden on the government situation and of the Chinese willingness to negotiate when the Japanese withdrew to the railway zone; Secretary's opinion that they should get out at once. To the Minister in China (tel.) Instructions to inform Chinese Government of the observation tour to be made by Hanson and Salisbury. 109 THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Oct. 3 (182) To the Chargé in Japan (tel.) 110 Account of morning conversation with the Japanese Ambassador and instructions to pursue same viewpoint with Shidehara. To the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 110 Instructions to inform Drummond of observation tour to be made by Hanson and Salisbury. 111 Oct. 3 (63) Oct. 4 (697) Oct. 4 (698) From the Minister in China (tel.) From the Acting Foreign Minister in Nanking: Invitation to the United States, as to other powers, to send representatives to Manchuria to collect information on the progress of evacuation. From the Minister in China (tel.) Transmittal to Nanking of Department's instructions (contained in telegram No. 358, October 3), with instructions to avoid giving the impression that the tour of observation is in answer to Chinese request. 112 Oct. 4 From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the 112 Report of Chinese arrangements for receipt of vacated territory and preservation of order. Oct. 5 (702) From the Minister in China (tel.) 112 From Mukden: Entrance of Japanese into Newchwang following bandit attack. Oct. 5 (703) 113 Oct. 5 (175) From the Minister in China (tel.) From Nanking: Summary of assertions by Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee that Japanese military planned occupation to regain popular favor in Japan and will not withdraw before October 14. From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Conversation with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, who gave the impression that Japanese are awaiting word from Chinese before acting in Manchuria, that withdrawal of troops depends upon Chinese safety guarantees, and that Japanese business interests in China are suffering. From the Minister in China (tel.) 113 Oct. 5 (707) 115 Discussion by Chiefs of Missions of Chinese request for foreign observers. Oct. 5 (361) To the Minister in China (tel.) 115 Reply for Acting Foreign Minister (substance printed) that the United States has already arranged for two officers to observe and report on developments. Oct. 5 (64) To the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 116 Gratification over Council's obtaining consent of Japan and China to its resolution of September 30; reiteration of U. S. interest and promise to cooperate as much as possible. 587122-46—VOL. III- 2 THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Oct. 5 (362) To the Minister in China (tel.) 117 Instructions for Nanking to inform T. V. Soong and Vice From the Consul General at Mukden Oct. 5 (363) Oct. 5 (454) Oct. 6 (708) To the Minister in China (tel.) From the Minister in China (tel.) From Nanking: Statement by Soong (text printed) indicating that Japan is maintaining troops outside railway zone at any excuse and hopes for pretext to extend occupation, and expressing hope that United States may act to ensure withdrawal of Japanese troops. 118 Instructions for the Minister to proceed to Nanking. 118 Report of the effects of the Japanese occupation on American interests in Manchuria. 126 Oct. 6 From the American Consul General at Mukden to the Japanese 127 Request for adequate protection of Americans against banditry. Oct. 6 From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to 127 Arrival of a fleet of Japanese warships at Shanghai and report of more to come. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Drummond's hope for presence of more Foreign Ministers at a possible Council meeting, October 14; reference to Sze's desire to use the term "reestablishment of the status quo ante" and other demands for settling Manchurian controversy; speculation on procedure should Japan prove recalcitrant. 128 From Nanking: Report of Japanese demand that Chinese stop boycott or Japan will adopt forcible measures. 128 Oct. 7 (161) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 130 Request by Drummond for differentiation between information meant by the Department only for him and information intended for Council members. Oct. 7 From the Vice Consul at Harbin (tel.) 132 Report from Hanson of Chinese killed and wounded and of the control of Chinese and Chinese Eastern Railway police by Japanese gendarmes. Oct. 7 Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State Conversation with Japanese Ambassador, who denied that Japan would retaliate for the boycott; expression of concern by the Under Secretary over increasing tenseness of the situation. 132 THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and num ber 1931 Oct. 7 (723) Oct. 7 (364) Oct. 7 (67) Oct. 7 (365) Oct. 7 (724) Oct. 8 Oct. 8 Subject From the Minister in China (tel.) From Nanking: Assertions by Soong and statement (text printed) of control in Japan by the military and its intentions in Manchuria; opinion that Japan would not oppose a firm U. S. attitude; hope for U. S. stand to bring withdrawal of troops. To the Minister in China (tel.) Information that representations have been made to Japan concerning radio station. Instructions for Mukden to report everything pertinent and act only on instructions. To the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Instructions to inform Drummond of text of Department's To the Minister in China (tel.) Instructions to inform Soong that his communications are receiving careful consideration and that Department feels Japan and China should now be given an opportunity to carry out their commitments. From the Minister in China (tel.) Report of potentialities of the situation and of danger of Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs Page 134 135 136 136 136 137 139 Oct. 8 (727) From the Minister in China (tel.) 140 Report from Hanson and Salisbury at Changchun of the fighting at Nanling and Kuanchengtze on September 19, and at Kirin-Changchun Railway powerhouse on September 30; review of resulting situations. Oct. 8 (728) From the Minister in China (tel.) 143 From Nanking: Information that report of Japan's intentions to land forces and bombard Nanking is taken seriously by Chinese Government; request for information. Oct. 8 (368) To the Minister in China (tel.) 143 Reply for Nanking that Japanese Ambassador stated it was unthinkable that Japan would bombard Nanking. Oct. 8 (729) From the Minister in China (tel.) 143 From Young Marshal's office: Report of bombing of Chinchow by Japanese airplanes. THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Oct. 9 (733) Subject Page From the Minister in China (tel.) 144 From Mukden: Dispatch of planes to Chinchow by Japanese commander in chief with leaflets containing virtual ultimatum to Chinchow Government. 144 Oct. 9 (734) Oct. 9 (165) Oct. 9 (166) Oct. 9 (70) Oct. 9 (372) From the Minister in China (tel.) Message from Nanking that Department's message of October 5 (telegram No. 362) was delivered to Acting Foreign Minister Lee, who seemed reassured and said he would inform the special diplomatic commission. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Request by Sze, in the light of further Japanese provocations, for a meeting of the Council prior to October 14; Drummond's hesitancy in view of conflicting reports and the lack of "neutral" information. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Drummond's proposal to send identic telegrams to Japan and China reminding them of their commitments in the hope that publicity of these will quiet Chinese public opinion; Drummond's belief that an earlier meeting of the Council will. be held and his desire for "neutral" information. To the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Instructions to inform Drummond that the Secretary trusts he intends to advise calling the meeting of the Council. To the Minister in China (tel.) 144 145 146 146 Instructions to inform Nanking of Secretary's conversation with Chinese Chargé, October 8. Oct. 9 From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the 147 Report of Japanese airplane attack on Chinchow, provincial capital since the occupation of Mukden. Oct. 9 (167) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 147 Text of identic telegrams from the Council to China and Oct. 9 (179) From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) 147 Conversation with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, who stated that Japanese Government has addressed a note to Nanking Government in view of treatment of Japanese in China, and is dispatching two cruisers to the Yangtze. Oct. 9 (168) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 148 Information that Council will meet on October 13, probably with Reading and Briand attending. Oct. 9 From the Japanese Consul General at Mukden to the American 149 Information that Japanese military authorities have been requested to furnish adequate protection to American interests. |